Tag Archive for: antioxidants

America, it’s Time to Fall Back in Love with Canned Tuna

Safe Catch Tuna review

America, it’s Time to Fall Back in Love with Canned Tuna

Last fall I read a distressing article, entitled “How America fell Out of love with canned tuna”. The article had a lot of not so great things to say about the canned tuna. At the time I thought it was another reason to not “have to” eat canned tuna again. I am happy to report, that it is officially Time to Fall Back in Love with Canned Tuna!
Thanks to a company called Safe Catch, we can once again delve into the canned tuna arena knowing we will find tasty,safe,healthy goodness in every bite.

I grew up eating tuna fish sandwiches. My mom managed our family kitchen within a budget that had to stretch over 5 kids, all of which were athletes. I am still in awe of that, quite an accomplishment indeed. Tuna sandwiches were one of our three weekly sandwich choices. Mom also used canned tuna for a lot of dishes from tuna noodle casserole to tuna burgers. I truly Love my Mama, but let’s just say she killed my appetite for tuna when the casserole and burger came into the picture-absolutely terrible (sorry Mom). In fact, to this day I rarely eat tuna.

By the time I get through putting gobs of mayo and sweet relish into the Tuna to cover the taste, there remains little health benefit to it. I might as well be eating a bag of potato chips and a hunk of a hostess ding dong. For me,that all changed when I covered the NPEW show this year. As I walked through the exhibit halls, I was bombarded with an array of tasty samples every which way I went. It is a yummy culinary overload like you can not imagine. So, when I was offered a sample of canned tuna on a cracker, I was happy to say no thank you, I don’t do tuna- (again, sorry Mom, no offense meant). What came next was a very pleasant surprise. My event companion slash amazing photographer slash hubby, tasted Safe Catch Tuna and said “you really should try this”. Reluctantly I did and well, Hot Dang!- Safe Catch delighted me with its delectable deliciousness!

Recently I received a complimentary box of Safe Catch Wild Albacore Tuna for me to play around with in my test kitchen. I opened my first can and was greeted with beautifully chunky, pristine albacore tuna. I took a tiny taste on the end of my fork and it tasted incredible-all by itself-this was going to be fun! Since then I have been making all sorts of recipe that I think you will truly enjoy and I’ve shared them below; however I highly encourage you to try this tuna by itself first. You would be missing out on an absolutely yummy experience if you didn’t!

A little About Safe Catch:
Safe Catch is the only brand that tests every single tuna individually for mercury levels.
There are no fillers or additives, just pure delicious responsibly, wild caught tuna in every can.
You can learn more and order yours at Safe Catch Tuna. Just click here

Recipe Links

Why Eat Tuna:
Research suggests that consuming canned tuna may provide a wide range of health benefits, from improving blood vessel function to boosting weight loss. Besides containing high-quality protein, selenium and potassium, canned tuna also possesses omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Learn more here

Disclaimer– I received free samples to review and provide you with my honest opinion on the products. I am not paid to do so. These are my opinions based on my experience with the products themselves and my interactions with the staff of the company. The opinions in my posts are my own, authentic views. Your experiences and sentiments may vary from my own. Thank you for taking the time to read my post/s. Kind regards, Carol Takakura

Photographs courtesy of Jttphotography

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Delicious meets Function at Sweet Earth Natural Foods

Sweet Earth Natural Foods

Sweet Earth Natural Foods

I Love to eat! I mean I Love to eat! My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, hands down. When I take the time to sit down and fully enjoy a good breakfast, I know I have started my day off well-nourished in both body and mind. A healthy breakfast kicks my brain into high gear, propelling me through the ever-changing landscape that is my day. The problem I seem to have with breakfast on a day when I am super busy, is resisting the urge to plow through one more project before I stop to eat-Not good! When I do that, I can expect the same result each and every time- I am starving by the time I eat and I am grabbing at anything within reach-not exactly the best plan for my productivity or my well-being.

Lighten Up Functional Breakfast BurritoThank goodness I have found a deliciously do-able solution in Sweet Earth Natural Foods. Not only are their Functional Breakfast Burritos a scrumptious solution for my demanding schedule, but they help me keep my promise to myself to eat well and nurture my body. I met the crew from Sweet Earth at the Natural Products Expo this year. Lucky me, they recently sent me a package of four of their off the charts delicious “Functional Breakfast Burritos”. Those of you who know me, know that I am all about eating as close to the earth as possible whenever possible. If you come to my house looking for frozen foods, good luck, not much to choose from. That being said, from here on out you would find a tasty selection of Sweet Earth’s functional breakfast burritos, if you can beat me to them that is. The flavor combinations in all four flavors I tried, including, Protein Lovers, Get Cultured!, Get Focused! And Lighten Up!, Functional Breakfast Burritos were unlike anything I have ever tried. Each one is completely unique, powerfully healthy and equally enjoyable. It will be tough to choose one, my suggestion just buy a bunch at a time. My very top favorites are the Protein Lover and the Power Burritos. In fact, I am eating a protein lovers right now :>).

Everything about Sweet Earth Natural Foods calls to my beliefs including eating a bounty of greens, plentiful plant based proteins, grains and of course healthy fresh herbs and spices. For those of you who thrive on a plant based diet or wish to incorporate more deliciousness into your lifestyle, you will find a most supportive partner in this company. As they say at Sweet Earth Natural Foods, “We use enlightened food traditions and farm friendly ingredients to hand craft delicious and nutritious foods” I could not agree more! Whole Foods is carrying a few types now and more are on the way. Use the store locator on Sweet Earth’s site to find a store near you. Protein Lover's Functional Breakfast Burrito Keep an eye out on my FB page for a Giveaway very soon! You could win a Sweet Earth Swag Bag with samples of Functional Breakfast Burritos!

To your health and wellness, Carol Takakura

Visit me at My Sage Gourmet, where Wellness is Always in Season!
Carol Takakura
CHHC, E-RYT, AADP
Food and Fitness Blogger

Check out my latest blog post for Yummy recipes, great food tips and more
818.312.3125

About Carol
Everything about My Sage Gourmet is intended to nurture and support you to thrive in every sense of the word. From the Kitchen Coaching, and my artisan kitchen blends to Nutrition Consulting, and the Tone and Sculpt Yoga and weight loss programs, My Sage Gourmet is here to support you!

I am a Certified Nutrition Coach, Food and Fitness Blogger, Well Kitchen Coach, Cooking Instructor & Yoga Instructor. I partner with clients in reaching their wellness goals both in and out of the kitchen. I have developed a kitchen line of Herbed Salts that is from my garden to your table. Each of my five varieties is grown, picked, hand blended and made to order in small batches to guarantee the freshest, best tasting blends! You will taste the quality in every beautifully organic bite!

I provide wellness lectures, cooking demos and hands on cooking classes. I test products, create recipes around product lines I believe you will enjoy both in print and via u-tube video.
I am known for my Kitchen Coaching, where I provide in-home classes to clean up and re- stock pantries to create do-able, quick and healthy options for everyday use and special occasions.

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The Magic Bullet

healthy life
Let’s talk about the Magic Bullet, you know the one I mean, it’s that solution you have been looking for. The Magic Bullet that will fix among other things, issues such as feeling tired all the time and your digestion. The magic bullet that will reduce your pooch, lower your blood pressure and give you back your vitality.

Boy do I have some Great news and some not so great news… Which one do you want to hear first?

“Let food be thy medicine, let medicine be thy food”-Hippocrates
First, Please indulge me for a moment or two while I reacquaint you to an old friend and Greek Physician from 460 BC-Hippocrates. It was his fervent belief that what we put into our bodies has the ability to heal us of many maladies, including a generous amount of diseases that we struggle with today. Diseases that are much more prevalent today due in large part to our dietary choices and our lack of knowledge about what is in the food we are eating, diseases such as heart and liver disease, cancer and diabetes.
When you consider that the average lifespan on an adult male in 460 BC was 45 years, and that Hippocrates lived until between the age of 83-90, some say till over 100, that man must have been on to something with this whole Food be Thy Medicine concept. . I would say that this extraordinary man who truly practiced what he preached.

When I see clients, almost every single one at some point says the same thing to me, I am tired of not feeling well. I don’t know why I feel this way. Or I don’t know what is right for me.
I don’t want to be reliant on meds. Basically they are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

So, I ask you what if anything is the MAGIC BULLET?
Much of what these clients and what you may be experiencing can be reduced, if not cured by adopting some simple food solutions.
You have heard me say it before but it bears repeating. What works for your body, will not work for other folks, just as what works for them may not work for you.
How do you find out what is serving your body, and what is not. How do you know what your needs are?
Your belief system or previous mindset may dictate that Meat is a no go for you. Or that meat is only way you can get your protein.
You might not be able to imagine yourself without a plethora of choices in the cheese department. Or simply cannot do without that sweet treat after your meal.
Here’s the thing, if you are experiencing health problems and you are not dissecting you diet, then you are actively deciding not to address your health issues. Perhaps, for you the Magic Bullet is more palatable than a shift in your kitchen and lifestyle
I am not telling you not to eat cheese, or meat or dairy or grains… At least not for good. What I am suggesting is that you take 10
Let’s try an experiment. I call it Take 10
By Laying off of just 10 foods and drinks in your regimen for just 10 days.
At the end of the 10 days, you can slowly add items back in one at a time. The great news about this experiment is that you also get to add 10 foods. So, in essence you are eating more good foods, gaining new habits and letting your body re-assess your needs.

Take 10 out- 10 foods to remove for just 10 days
1-Dairy-Milk, Ice Cream, Butter and cheese
2-Eggs
3-Night shades (goji berries, huckleberries and gooseberries), potatoes (potato starch, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers
4-Gluten-wheat, rye, oats and barley
5-Alcohol
6-Fruit Juice
7-Processed meats cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, canned meat, sausage and shellfish and pork.
8-Coffee/Caffeine
9-Sugar-no added sugar at all and no artificial sweeteners
10-Condiments-Salad Dressing, mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce

Add 10- Foods to Add
1. Raw nuts and seeds-Walnuts, Almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds
2. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (tablespoon every day in water)
3. Small amounts of good fats found in olive, grape, sesame and avocado oil
4. Fish Oils- capsules and in fresh, wild caught fish-Salmon- — a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, heart disease, and cancer.
— A 3-ounce serving contains almost 50 percent of your daily dose of niacin, which may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
5. Fermented foods-Sauerkraut, kombucha, miso (fermented soy beans)
6. Beans and Legumes
7. Greens and lots of them every day! Spinach, kale, Red leaf lettuce, arugula
8. Fresh dark fruit-Especially red or purple grapes, pomegranates and berries
9. Avocados- Rich in healthy, satisfying fats proven in one study to lower cholesterol by about 22 percent.
— One has more than half the fiber and 40 percent of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.
10. Vitamin C- in the form of citrus-Just one lemon has 100% of the daily recommended amount, which may help increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones. — Citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.
After your “Take 10” experiment, slowly add foods you are still interested in eating back into your diet slowly. That was you will be more likely to be able to tell if something isn’t agreeing with your system. Listen to your body’s clues about how you are feeling.
Enjoy the journey!

Other suggestions for success:
Keep a pad of paper near your kitchen table/ and/or night stand- on the pad, making note of your Mood, Sleep Patterns, Digestion, Skin Clarity, Hairs texture, eye clarity and Elimination.
Cook at least once a day, preferably more
Share your adventure with friends and family and invite them to join you
Move a minimum of 30 minutes every single day-No exceptions

Will this Take 10 experiment be Your Magic Bullet? I think you will find, there is no need for a Magic Bullet when you are cued into your body’s needs and conscious about what you put into your body!
I will look forward to hearing about your experience soon!

Do you want to take this a healthy step further? Ask me about my Spring 10 Detox program. Free coaching, recipes and gifts are included! Find out more

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Cauliflower, It’s the Real Deal!

Cauliflower
Cauliflower, It’s the Real Deal!

I know you have heard it over and over, “Eat your vegetables, they are good for you” Still, some folks try as they might , can’t seem to get past the basic salad or a couple of broccoli stems before calling the it quits… I am here today to ask you to take another look at Cauliflower. Perhaps after reading this you will have a new prospective on this deliciously healthy sweetheart of the veggie world. Of course I included a link to an easy, quick recipe that is inexpensive, makes a good size batch and it tastes delish! Now let’s move on to the real deal about Cauliflower.

Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. Typically, only the head (the white curd) is eaten, although the leaves are also edible and deliciously mild. Its name is from Latin caulis (cabbage) and flower.

Health Benefits
While cauliflower is not a well-studied cruciferous vegetable from a health standpoint, you will find several dozen studies linking cauliflower-containing diets to cancer prevention, particularly with respect to the following types of cancer: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. This connection between cauliflower and cancer prevention should not be surprising, since cauliflower provides special nutrient support for the body systems. Chronic imbalances in any of the body’s systems can increase risk of cancer, and when imbalances in all three systems occur simultaneously, the risk of cancer increases significantly. Keep in mind that these cancer prevention studies are still in their infancy, however show great promise.

Cauliflower’s incredible Anti-inflammatory Benefits
The anti-inflammatory nature of glucosinolate/isothiocyanate and other nutrients found in cauliflower has been the basis for new research on inflammation-related health problems and the potential role of cauliflower in their prevention. Promising research is underway that many health professional feel will shed light on the potential benefits of cauliflower in relationship to our risk of the following inflammation-related health problems: Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, insulin resistance, irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic syndrome, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis
Another reason to show a little love to Cauliflower: Scientists have not always regarded cardiovascular problems as having a central inflammatory component. However what is clear is the role of unwanted inflammation in creating problems for the blood vessels and circulation. The anti-inflammatory support provided by cauliflower makes it a food also capable of providing cardiovascular benefits. Of particular interest is its glucoraphanin content. Glucoraphanin is a glucosinolate that can be converted into the isothiocyanate (ITC) sulforaphane. Not only does sulforaphane trigger anti-inflammatory activity in our cardiovascular system—it may also be able to help prevent and has the potential to assist in the reversal of blood vessel damage.

Cauliflower gets props for Digestive Support
The fiber content of cauliflower—over 9 grams in every 100 calories—makes this cruciferous vegetable a great choice for digestive system support. Yet the fiber content of cauliflower is only one of its digestive support mechanisms. Researchers have determined that the sulforaphane made from a glucosinolate in cauliflower (glucoraphanin) can help protect the lining of your stomach. Sulforaphane provides you with this health benefit by preventing bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori in your stomach or too much clinging by this bacterium to your stomach wall.
Cauliflower is has Super Hero Detox Power
The detox support provided by cauliflower includes antioxidant nutrients to boost Phase 1 detoxification activities and sulfur-containing nutrients to boost Phase 2 activities. Cauliflower also contains phytonutrients called glucosinolates that can help activate detoxification enzymes and regulate their activity. Three glucosinolates that have been clearly identified in cauliflower are glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin, and gluconasturtiian. While the glucosinolate content of cauliflower is definitely significant from a health standpoint, cauliflower contains about one-fourth as much total glucosinolates as Brussels sprouts, about one-half as much as Savoy cabbage, about 60% as much as broccoli, and about 70% as much as kale.
A high intake of cauliflower has been associated with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer.[16]

Cooking
Cauliflower can be roasted, boiled, fried, steamed, or eaten raw. Steaming or microwaving better preserves anticancer compounds than boiling. When cooking, the outer leaves and thick stalks are removed, leaving only the florets. The leaves are also edible, but are most often discarded. The florets should be broken into similar-sized pieces so they are cooked evenly. After eight minutes of steaming, or five minutes of boiling, the florets should be soft, but not mushy (depending on size). Stirring while cooking can break the florets into smaller, uneven pieces.
Boiling reduces the levels of these compounds, with losses of 20–30% after five minutes, 40–50% after ten minutes, and 75% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods, such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying, have no significant effect on the compounds.
Here is a recipe I have been making for 25 years now, and still it is one of my all time faves! Recipe: Carol’s Cauliflower Soup

The Nutritional Skinny (per 100 g/ 3.5 oz)
Energy 104 kJ (25 kcal)
Carbohydrates 5 g
Dietary fiber 2 g
Protein 1.9 g
Water 92 g
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.05 mg (4%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.06 mg (5%)
Niacin (vit. B3) 0.507 mg (3%)
Vitamin B6 0.184 mg (14%)
Folate (vit. B9) 57 mg (14%)
Vitamin C 48.2 mg (58%)
Vitamin E 0.08 mg (1%)
Vitamin K 15.5 μg (15%)
Calcium 22 mg (2%)
Iron 0.42 mg (3%)
Magnesium 15 mg (4%)
Manganese 0.155 mg (7%)
Phosphorus 44 mg (6%)
Potassium 299 mg (6%)
Zinc 0.27 mg (3%)
Sources:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/diet/cruciferous-vegetables
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/cauliflower-health-boost
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauliflower

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